Hydrangea plant named ‘HISUN’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘HISUN’, characterized by its upright and broadly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; strong and sturdy stems; freely flowering habit; large and dense inflorescences with white-colored sterile flowers; and good post-production longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘HISUN’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT & ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Assignee, Hi Breeding B.V. of De Lier, The Netherlands on Sep. 9, 2019, application number 2019/2202. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

The Inventor/Applicant and Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor/Applicant and/or the Assignee. Inventor/Applicant and Assignee claim a prior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla, commercially referred to as a mophead-type Hydrangea and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘HISUN’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new sturdy and strong Hydrangea plants with attractive inflorescences and good postproduction longevity.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination in March, 2014 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 1676, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 1695, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands in April, 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hydrangea plant by terminal vegetative cuttings since June, 2016 in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘HISUN’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘HISUN’ as anew and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Upright and broadly spreading plant habit.     -   2. Freely branching habit.     -   3. Strong and sturdy stems.     -   4. Freely flowering habit.     -   5. Large and dense inflorescences with white-colored sterile         flowers.     -   6. Good post-production longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Hydrangea are more rounded than         leaves of plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Sepals of sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea are         more rounded than and not as pointed as sepals of sterile         flowers of plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in stein strength as stems of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than stems of plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can also be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Schneeball’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘Schneeball’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than plants of         ‘Schneeball’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea are not as vigorous as plants of         ‘Schneeball’.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more hardy than plants of         ‘Schneeball’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance of the new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘HISUN’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘HISUN’.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3) is a close-up view of a typical leaf of ‘HISUN’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown during the summer in 14-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in De Lier, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 35° C., night temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 22° C. and lightly levels averaged 4,000 lux. Plants of the new Hydrangea were pinched one time and were two years old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants are not typically “blued” (treated with aluminum sulfate).

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘HISUN’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 1676, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 1695, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About twelve days at             temperatures about 22° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             weeks at temperatures about 22° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About one             month at temperatures about 19° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright, broadly outwardly spreading             and mounding plant habit; flattened globular in overall             shape; strong and sturdy stems; moderately vigorous growth             habit and moderate growth rate; about six months from             propagation are required to produce a small finished             flowering plant.         -   Plant height.—About 30.3 cm.         -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 46.2 cm. -   Lateral branch description:     -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with about eleven             lateral branches per plant; pinching enhances lateral branch             development.         -   Length.—About 13.6 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.         -   Internode length.—About 4.9 cm.         -   Strength.—Strong, sturdy.         -   Aspect.—About 55° from vertical.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; fully developed, woody.         -   Luster.—Moderately glossy.         -   Color, developing.—Close to 144A.         -   Color, fully developed.—Close to 144A; at the nodes,             slightly tinged with close to 183D; when woody, close to             199A, N199C and N199D.         -   Lenticels.—Density: Medium. Length: About 1.25 mm. Width:             About 0.5 mm. Color: Close to N186C. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 10.9 cm.         -   Width.—About 8 cm.         -   Shape.—Broadly ovate to broadly obovate.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Acute to truncate.         -   Margin.—Coarsely dentate to serrate.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Slightly rugose,             glabrous; semi-glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Moderately rugose,             glabrous; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 137B. Fully             developed leaves, upper surface: Close to between 147A and             N189A; venation, close to 144A. Fully developed leaves,             lower surface: Close to 147B; venation, close to 146C to             146D.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Texture             and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly             glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;             moderately glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             146C to 146D. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy rotate sterile flowers and             small, inconspicuous rotate fertile flowers arranged on             mophead-type terminal panicles; panicles flattened globular             in shape; sterile flowers face upright to outwardly and             fertile flowers mostly upright.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Natural flowering season.—In the garden, plants flower             continuously from the late spring to late summer in The             Netherlands; flower dormancy can be broken by giving a             two-month cold treatment.         -   Flower longevity.—Good postproduction longevity; sterile             flowers maintain good substance for about six weeks on the             plant, sterile flowers persistent; fertile flowers last for             a few days on the plant, fertile flowers not persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit; about 140             sterile flowers per panicle and about 30 fertile flowers per             panicle.         -   Panicle height.—About 7.7 cm.         -   Panicle diameter.—About 14.3 cm.         -   Panicle peduncles.—Length: About 5.2 cm. Diameter: About             2.5 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Primary peduncles, mostly             erect; lateral peduncles, about 40° from primary peduncle             axis. Texture: Densely pubescent. Color: Close to 145A;             distally, close to 157C; at the nodes, tinged with close to             183D. Lenticels: Density: Medium. Length: About 1 mm. Width:             About 0.5 mm. Color: Close to 178A to 178B.         -   Sterile flower buds.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About             9 mm. Shape: Cup-shaped. Color: Close to 145D; distally,             with close to 155C.         -   Fertile flower buds.—Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About             4 mm. Shape: Broadly obovate. Color: Close to 145A to 145B.         -   Sterile flower diameter.—About 3.2 cm.         -   Sterile flower depth (height).—About 1.3 cm.         -   Fertile flower diameter.—About 8 mm.         -   Fertile flower depth (height).—About 5 mm.         -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four, or             occasionally three, in a single whorl. Length: About 2.5 mm.             Width: About 1.8 mm. Shape: Broadly ovate, concave. Apex:             Broadly acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte.             Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close             to NN155D; color does not change with subsequent             development. When opening and fully opened, lower surface:             Close to NN155D; color does not change with subsequent             development.         -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five, or             occasionally six, in a single whorl. Length: About 3.5 mm.             Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Ovate, concave. Apex: Acute. Base:             Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening and             fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; color does not             change with subsequent development. When opening and fully             opened, lower surface: Close to NN155D; color does not             change with subsequent development.         -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Typically             four, or occasionally five, in a single whorl. Length: About             2.2 cm. Width: About 2.5 cm. Shape: Reniform. Apex: Obtuse             to retuse. Base: Broadly attenuate. Margin: Entire; coarsely             undulate. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening, upper and             lower surfaces: Close to NN155C; towards the base, close to             155A. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             NN155D; color does not change with subsequent development.         -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a             single whorl. Length: About 3 mm. Width: About 1.5 mm.             Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Broadly cuneate. Margin:             Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening, upper and             lower surfaces: Close to 145D; towards the apex, close to             155C. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             NN155B; towards the apex, tinged with close to 145D; color             does not change with subsequent development.         -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 1.4 cm. Diameter:             About 1.5 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 45°             from peduncle. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent; matte.             Color: Close to NN155D.         -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 1 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 30°             from peduncle. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent; matte.             Color: Close to 155C.         -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: Eight. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament color:             Close to 145D. Anther shape: Broadly oblong. Anther length:             About 1.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 145B to 145C. Pollen             amount: None detected. Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower:             Two. Pistil length: About 1 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped.             Stigma color: Close to NN155A. Style length: About 0.5 mm.             Style color: Close to 145D. Ovary color: Close to 145B.         -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: Ten. Filament length: About 2 mm. Filament color:             Close to NN155D. Anther shape: Broadly oblong. Anther             length: About 0.75 mm. Anther color: Close to 157D. Pollen             amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 155A. Pistils: Pistil             quantity per flower: Three. Pistil length: About 2 mm.             Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to NN155D.             Style length: About 1 mm. Style color: Close to NN155D.             Ovary color: Close to 157D.         -   Seeds.—To date, seed development has not been observed on             plants of the new Hydrangea. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Under commercial production conditions,     plants of the new Hydrangea have been observed to tolerate Powdery     Mildew (Erysiphe friesii var. friesii) and Botrytis (Botrytis     cinerea). Plants of the new Hydrangea not been observed to be     resistant to pests and other pathogens common to Hydrangea plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown     to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘HISUN’ as illustrated and described. 